Large Dublin section of Grand Canal cycle route nearly finished

NOTE: This article is about the route between Inchicore and Adamstown, if you are looking for the latest news on the Canals Route closer to Dublin City Centre, try our home page or have a look in our cycling routes category.

The outer section of the Grand Canal cycle and walking route is close to being finished. It is due to be opened by South Dublin County Council on Friday June 18, at the end of Bike Week 2010.

As shown in the photograph above, it’s a large path with lighting along side it. There will also be CCTV on the route.

It will link the Lock Road, near Adamstown and south Lucan, to the Blackhorse Luas stop between Inchicore and Drimnagh. It will run close to Park West, Clondalkin, Walkinstown, and Ballyfermot. It is easily accessible from the City Centre.

It’s just under 8.5km, but with just a few road crossings along the route, it will be quicker than cycling on roads with many junctions. Pedestrian and cycle lights are at the few junctions, but have yet to be turned on.

At least one section is still blocked off and completely unsurfaced, while other sections are accessible but currently have different surface quality. If you attempt to use it at the moment, note that only pedestrian gates are open and construction work is still ongoing.

It is planned the route will eventually continue further into the city and into the Docklands. Dublin City Council is currently planning to build another section under the name Dublin Canals Cycle Route, this will go from Rathmines to Fairview Park on the northside where it will link up with part of the planned Sutton to Sandcove cycle route around Dublin Bay.

The missing link between Rathmines and Inchicore has been surveyed by the city council, but no firm plans to upgrade it have being announced. There are also no firm plans for an upgrade of the Royal Canal path beyond a small section near the Docklands. Although, most of the Royal Canal is passable near Dublin, the surface quality varies and pedestrian gates slow access at points.

The above shows how wide the path is, as well as the scenic nature of the route.

More below:

One of many gates along the route, presumably the larger gates will be opened for cyclists. Although, with this design, it’s unclear how these will allow cyclists to pass without also allowing motorbikes, mopeds, and all-terrain vehicles / quads. Getting cyclists to use the pedestrian gates would make the route hard to use with panniers and would slow cyclists down a notable amount.

The only section (between Kylemore Road and the Killeen Road) which is currently fully blocked off.

Cycled from Suir Bridge to Adamstown today. Bird life on show..Herons, Mute swans, moorhens, little grebe, bullfinches, redwings..blue tits, goldfinches, and that was just glancing about ! Great facility in the city, hope it will be extended all the way to Mullingar..

On the stretch between the Fonthill Road and Grangecastle there is now an additional feature between the main gate and the kissing gate. It’s a sort of step through gap which it is possible to squeeze through while still on your bike. Also, if you reverse your bike into the kissing gate, putting it at an angle, swing the gate and then you can just wheel your bike out the other side without having to lift it. Also, new dark red pededstrian/cycle bridge at Grange Castle is great for a route through to Lucan, via Griffeen Park extension, over railway and along Hayden’s Lane.

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